The BIG NBA Season Preview (30-21)

Welcome to the quote on quote "BIG" season preview. No more ranking by conference, just all 30 teams ranked from 1-30 broken into 3 sections. I promise I tried my hardest to not kill everybody with too many words or repeat things everyone has said about the teams already (if I did sorry again). If you want a full preview here you go or here. If you don't want to read through my longer parts just enjoy the hyperlinks. I promise I won't be hurt if you don't want to read it all. The most fun part to read would probably be Trades To Consider where I get to play pretend GM (because don't we all wish we could be one) using ESPN's Trade Machine and make numerous trade scenarios especially involving Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge, the Bulls, and many more while explaining the logic behind the deal. Lastly rankings reflect my opinion before any of these games started meaning just because the Clippers lost to the Lakers tonight and do not look like a Western favorite at all they will stay where I thought they were (hint: I regret a bit making them my Western favorites, sorry KD) Without further ado the season preview.

 
30. Sixers

Goal: The Prize for Suck...or the consolation prize? Or the consolation's consolation prize?

Intrigue: (Written before Royce White was released)* 
The tactics they will take to losing - This is the one team that has shown no intention whatsoever of competing to the point where they did not hire a coach until way late and they still need to fill their cap minimum by $10 million. However I do not think they are historically bad. They have decent enough talent to squeeze out 10 wins. I like Carter-Williams despite his certain inefficiencies (but I've always likened the idea of tall point guards i.e. Shaun Livingston, Penny Hardaway kind of & of course Magic), I like Nerlens but he's out for the year :( Evan Turner, Thad Young, and Spencer Hawes will be auditioning for their new team to be so while they're in Philly they have to kind of play well or risk being stuck right? While they're still around I expect some college Evan Turner to show out, Thad Young's versatility to be displayed, and hopefully a return of the Hawes mullet!!! Oh and they still have the new J-Rich when he returns from injury. Cheers to fat J-Rich and Royce White house parties!

Player to Watch: Nothing to watch here unless you like flat tops sitting on a bench but when Turner, Young, and Hawes are traded we are looking at a potential starting lineup of Carter-Williams, Fat J-Rich, newly acquired small forward with 1 year on their contract, newly acquired power forward with 1 year on their contract /or Arnett Moultrie, and ... Kwame Brown. The 2013-2014 Philadelphia 76ers yall! Feel the tank.

Trade to Consider: (PHI) - Danny Granger, Richard Jefferson, Dwayne Jones III 
                                          (-19 wins)
                                (UTA) - Spencer Hawes, Lavoy Allen, Rasaul Butler (+3 wins)
                                (IND) - Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner (+6 wins)
*Logic - Killing 3 birds with 1 stone, negative 19 wins, Granger and Jefferson's expiring contracts on the same team...with J-Rich! As the saying goes, enough bricks to build a house. Let's make it happen. Hawes serves as a very nice backup for the young bigs in Utah, and the Pacers can play Turner or Thad Young as one starter and one sixth man supreme or both can be excellent bench players (More depth!) while Lance Stephenson becomes the starting 2 again.

Where They'll Be Come June: Figuring out if this was all worth tanking for...and if by some divine miracle they fall out of the top 5 in the draft...then no, but most likely yes. 

29.Celtics

Goal: Blow it up even more than they already have, clear any cap holdover (excluding Gerald Wallace, good luck), and pray for lottery luck (*cough cough Tim Duncan, sorry Cs fans) 

Intrigue: The Brad Stevens effect - Everyone has praised him for his coaching emphasis on statistical analysis and the ability to win with the best team rather than talent on the floor (Remember two straight NCAA championship losses, one almost a half-court shot away from being a win, with his best players being Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack...SHELVIN MACK!). The C's could be the basketball equivalent of the Oakland A's with Stevens and they're going to need him to find a way to make this roster work especially on offense. It will take time, but when the team finally constructs a roster Stevens sees fit, he will earn rightful praise in the big leagues as well. 

Player to Watch: Kelly Olynyk - Because of the Canadian Dirk hype.

Trade to Consider: (BOS) - Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, Brandan Wright
                              (DAL) - Jeff Green, Gerald Wallace, Jordan Crawford  
*Logic - Rondo trades are on the way. Stay tuned. I don't see Kris Humphries being moved simply because of his big money expiring contract which is hard to find equal value for any trade partner (C's want youth but those contracts will not equal $12 million, Humphries' value does not warrant top prospect exchange either especially if he is a 1 year rental) but if anyone has the balls to take on an excessive contract to win after getting screwed the last two offseasons, it's Mark Cuban. For the C's they get expirings in VC (buyout potential), Marion (buyout potential), and only 2 years at a much cheaper contract of Brandan Wright. The Mavs get to look like those fun old Mavs teams of the early 2000s that never got past the Western semis, but they were oh so fun to watch! Shout outs to 'Toine and Jamison, Van Exel, Finley and my boy LaFrentz too.

Where They'll Be Come June: Still searching for an offense but rebuilding the right way. It started with hiring Stevens.

28. Utah Jazz

Goal: Turn Andris Biedrins into an all-star. Just kidding. Building a solid frontcourt foundation in Kanter & Favors

Intrigue: Is Rudy Gobert the new Mozgov?? - There really isn't much to be intrigued about here. A lot of young raw talent but a work in progress.

Player to Watch: Enes Kanter - He's produced when given playing time behind Milsap and Jefferson in past seasons and now he'll have all the minutes to prove his worth. He's a high-effort player and there are no doubts to his work ethic especially when it came to his weight loss. He is only 21 and can make his name as a top center in this league.

Trade to Consider: They will show up down the line in some trades as a helper, but pretty much they'll take expiring contracts. Trust me.

Where They'll Be Come June: Evaluating their next backcourt mate for Trey Burke or Alex Burks perhaps? 


27. Phoenix Suns

Goal: Utilize future assets for the 2014 season. 

Intrigue: Trying to outscore opponents with a good portion of their summer league team as main contributors (Morris twins, Archie Goodwin? etc.) - Ehhh I don't know about that.

Player to Watch: Eric Bledsoe - The 6'1 poor man's LeBron or does that mean the 6'1 Josh Smith/Andre Iguodala or...? Anyways this is one of the most fun guys to watch in this league because of his mix of strength, speed, athleticism, and tenacious defense all coming from a small (yet ripped) body frame. Gauging Bledsoe's value has always been one of the more difficult things to determine because he has so much upside and shows many flashes of brilliance, but in that small sample size he has also shown a few deficiencies in his game as well (turnover prone/lacking good court awareness, not a good shooter), and we still aren't quite sure if he's a 1 or 2. All the uncertainties of his game I don't really worry about too much (it doesn't hurt to have been under the tutelage of Chris Paul the last 2 years), they are things he can improve on by just playing more, and that he will have the opportunity to do on his new team especially with Jeff Hornacek's fast-paced offense which will fit his style. The price Phoenix gave up to acquire Bledsoe was Jared Dudley and a second round pick which I think is a steal. I expect a breakout year from Bledsoe, and maybe there can be legitimacy to the debate of whether he is better than his old backcourt mate in college. It won't be easy for him though (tons of responsibility for an inexperienced player on an inexperienced team), but I know he's up for the challenge, and we'll sure see soon enough if his value is worth the hype.   

Trade to Consider: (PHX) - Greg Monroe, Charlie Villanueva, Jonas Jerebko (No effect)
                            (CHI) - Emeka Okafor, Goran Dragic, PJ Tucker (+ 4 wins)
                            (DET) - Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich (- 9 wins) + 1st round pick (via IND)
The Gortat trade hurt  my favoritism towards them as an extra trade partner in many other trade scenarios.
*Logic - Pretty much Dragic and PJ Tucker and a late 1st rounder for Monroe who I think, regardless of a strong draft class, is more valuable than a late first rounder next year and he could fit the team as an undersized center with mobility. He also still has potential (only 23) and with an expiring is at the discretion of the Suns if they want to keep him or not after the year. CV's contract expires at the end of the year (potential buyout?) and Jerebko has potential upside or at least he looks like a stud for a Euro. For the other teams, Chicago gets insurance for Rose and Noah, and a defensive stud in Tucker that fits perfectly (Btw all contracts expire at the end of the season like Deng's and Hinrich's) and for Detroit they get an all-star small forward that can do everything (like not clog the paint), Hinrich is a decent backup 1 or 2, and any first round pick next year is nice.   

Where They'll be Come June:The youngest team in the NBA with their many young guys more experienced due to inflated minutes which means potential rising team for next year.

26. Charlotte Bobcats 

Goal: To compete for a final playoff spot even though they should not.

Intrigue: This prediction by Jalen Rose.     

Player to Watch: Michael Kidd-Gilchirst  - Fixing the hitch in his jumpshot with the great Mark Price and hopefully doing that high energy stuff I like that is never appreciated.

Trade to Consider: *RONDO TRADE ALERT
(CHA) - Rajon Rondo, Luol Deng, Brandon Bass (-3 wins)
(CHI) - Ben Gordon, Ramon Sessions, Jeff Taylor, Marshon Brooks (+5 wins)
(BOS) - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bismack Biyombo, Kirk Hinrich (-5 wins)

*Logic - With MJ signing Al Jefferson in the offseason he's making a statement that he wants to win or at least try to win. The current roster is too inexperienced and won't make the playoffs so why not go all in on the try and win now attempt? Rondo runs the team, Deng does his best swiss army knife impression, Al Jefferson bangs the boards and scores, Bass does his mid range shooting, Gerald Henderson does his outside shooting, Kemba becomes the irrational confident scorer off the bench every team needs and Cody Zeller gets to develop! I think we have ourselves a definite 6, 7, or 8 seed. The only problem, this trade would not happen early if it were to come into fruition. Rondo isn't getting traded until he at least comes back and provides an audition to teams interested which gives time for Kidd-Gilchrist to prove himself as an untradeable asset for the future, maybe even Bismack too (just kidding). 
Chicago gets Benny the Bull back as a starter or sixth man, Sessions is D-Rose insurance, and Jeff Taylor!!! Boston gets Hinrich's expiring and a point guard, Biyombo's defense and a center, and Kidd-Gilchrist who I still think very highly of (I stand by what I said before last season).     

Where They'll Be Come June: Getting screwed out of a top 5 pick because they win too many games but not enough for the playoffs thus proving once again that having an owner who is the greatest basketball player to ever play the game does not equate to having an owner who is capable of running an NBA team.

25. Orlando Magic

Goal: Developing their young core in preparation for next season when they add a lottery pick and are ready to compete for a playoff spot.

Intrigue: The attempt to turn Victor Oladipo into Russell Westbrook 2.0

Player to Watch: Tobias Harris - I will be completely honest before writing this I only remembered him being a kind of chubby scorer in college, but had no clue how his game or body changed since entering the league. I did not bother to watch many Magic games last year but c'mon man! Who would unless you are a diehard Magic fan. After watching a few of his YouTube clips and knowing of the numbers he posted after getting traded I am all in on Tobias Harris stock. He got in real good shape post-college and he seems reminiscent to a Carmelo lite in terms of how he bullies his defender (I hope his defense isn't Carmelo-esque). There's that sneaky athleticism and he has a decent looking shot. He's definitely the "star" of a team that could be very fun to watch this year and I'll be keeping an eye on his progression (mostly because he's on my fantasy team hehehe).  

Trade to Consider: (ORL) - Zach Randolph, Andre Miller (-1 win)
             (MEM) - Jameer Nelson, Glen Davis, Andrew Nicholson, Evan Fournier (-1 win)
                             (DEN) - Arron Afflalo (-1 win)  
*Logic - Just trying to make a splashy trade with big contracts for unwarranted players, I wouldn't actually accept if I was Orlando or Memphis.
Z-Bo paired with Vucevic would be nice but his contract is ridiculous and Grandpa Andre will continue to amaze me till he's 54 years old which is actually in two years (just kidding). Memphis gets two veteran bench guys, Fournier that kind of handsome French devil (go ahead look him in the eyes and wait till he speaks English with a French accent and steals your heart), and can experiment with Ed Davis or Nicholson as the power forward for the future. Denver gets Afflalo who I've always liked but am still a little jealous of.    

Where They'll Be Come June: The new foundation is officially in place having the rookie of the year (Oladipo), an all-star-to-be in Harris, a double-double center (Vucevic), other productive young assets (Harkless, Nicholson), and their lottery pick in July to push this team into one of the most intriguing up-and-coming teams for the 2014 season. Not to mention Jameer and Big Baby most likely on new teams, possibly Afflalo, and most importantly Hedo off the books.  

24. Sacramento Kings 

Goal: Being a team for the people...or making cow bells relevant again?

Intrigue: DeMarcus cousins man. DEMARCUS COUSINS - It's his team now. Will he have the maturity to lead it? The skill is all there but is the attitude?

Player to Watch: Ben McLemore - There's this Ben McLemore. Then there's this Ben McLemore. After the collegiate season he was considered by many to most likely be the number 1 pick in this year's draft, but since then it's been a semi-rocky road leading up to his debut. After a poor showing in pre-draft workouts and falling to 7th in the draft he followed with a summer league of a couple decent games, but was most notable for some terrible shooting (4-23, 4-12, 0-8), and concluded the preseason with ok numbers but nothing too impressive. Let's remember he is a shooting guard (33% for a high draft pick in summer league is poor) so he has to put up a much better shooting percentage especially if he has the balls to take the Serbian Sniper's number. With McLemore it's pretty simple what we're looking for and it's consistency and efficiency. He has a ton of upside and with Tyreke gone, he is the Kings 2-guard of the future, and he will be given opportunities to succeed. The question will be which McLemore do we see more of this year, the first example or the second example?

Trade to Consider: (SAC) - ZBo, Tayshaun Prince
                          (MEM) - Danny Granger, Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson, Rudy Gobert
                              (IND) - Marcus Thornton, John Salmons
                              (UTA) - Jimmer Fredette
*Logic - No plus/minuses here because the trade machine has currently gone to poops since the new season has begun. Z-Bo (Another Z-Bo trade!) and Boogie would make a mean front court combo and Randolph could be a great mentor for Cousins due to the almost similar paths they share in dealing with maturity in the early stages of their career. Z-Bo has grown into a respected veteran of the league and Cousins could follow in his footsteps. Tayshaun is a better small forward than Mbah a Moute or Salmons. Memphis gets a scorer they need in Granger, Patterson and Ed Davis can be experimented at power forward, Chuck Hayes is a banger and Gobert is a project. Indiana gets two outside shooters for their bench, and we return to Utah their holy son.     
                             
Where They'll Be Come June: Getting closer to returning to the playoffs...maybe two years away.      

23. Raptors

Goal: Finding an identity and continuity with a roster led by low-efficient, heavy-dribbling scorers.

Intrigue: Who are the Toronto Raptors? -  On paper it doesn't look bad, but with new GM Masai Ujiri he has an opportunity to rebuild with enticing trade pieces to fit the mold of a team he wants, but it starts with a new coach = Dwayne Casey probably being the first to go

Player to Watch: Terrence Ross - Oh you were expecting him? Sorry but it's the slam dunk champ and he does much more than just dunk a basketball. He'll be the team's 6th man this year and the man gets buckets in exciting fashion. Once/If? DeMar DeRozan is traded it will truly be his time to shine.

Trade to Consider: (TOR) - VINCE CARTER, Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler, Shawn Marion, Brandan Wright
(DEN) - DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Sam Dalembert, Jose Calderon
(DAL) - Rudy Gay, JaVale McGee, Andre Miller
*Logic - I really wanted to find a good forth trading partner in this deal, but it just hurt my head way too much trying to cook it up. For the Raptors it's simple, unite Ujiri with players he's had before (Chandler & Manimal), Marion  and Brandan Wright seem like they would have been good on those Nugget teams, and most importantly the return of Vinsanity (who would probably request a buy out...). Eat your hearts out Raptor fans! Denver gets more crazy, and so does Dallas! Andre Miller scored 52 against the Mavs so of course Cuban would love him. 

Where They'll Be Come June: Looking more and more like Nuggets East and being one of the most fun teams to watch.

22. Milwaukee Bucks

Goal: Be the Larry Drew team of all Larry Drew teams! Be a 6-8 seed in the East and make it out of the first round.

Intrigue: Winning with all 12 men like really really - This roster has enough decency throughout to actually work. If Ilyasova is dealt, a front line of John Henson and Larry Sanders would be really fun to watch defensively, and Tough Juice, Ojayous Omayous, Gary Neal, and Brandon Knight will be interesting as the responsible scorers. 

Player to Watch: GREEK FREAK aka Baby Duranbatum


Trade to Consider:*Original deal (Made prior to Gortat trade) players in italics

(MIL) - Danilo Gallinari, Jason Thompson, Andre Miller, Kendall Marshall
(DEN) - Ersan Ilyasova, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson, Ray McCallum
(SAC) - Caron Butler, Shannon Brown, Darrell Arthur
                                                                            (PHX) - Jimmer Fredette, Ekpe Udoh *Updated moves (Salmons -> Bucks, Channing Frye -> Nuggets, Delfino -> Kings)
*Logic - Providing the Bucks a better go-to scorer in Galo, a solid vet in Dre Miller, and Thompson is added bench depth. Also Sanders and Henson 4-5 happens. Denver would not do this deal, but I just enjoy blowing up their team. Sacramento gets a good rental small forward in Caron, and I am on the path to find all the juiciest places for Jimmer to play on where he'll be able to shoot all the time. Phoenix fits the description.   

Where They'll Be Come June: Regretting the decision to remain mediocre costing them an opportunity to pair Greek Freak with a top 5 pick and having cap flexibility (see: OJ Mayo, Zaza Pachulia, Carlos Delfino contracts) moving forward. 


21. Portland Trail Blazers 

Goal: Claim a final spot in the playoffs

Intrigue: How many losses will it take until LaMarcus Aldridge officially wants out?

Player to Watch: Damian Lillard - It has to be the ROY (whoops rookie of the year = ROY hehehe sorry Josh too soon?) right? Well as always we're looking for a potential sophomore slump here and while it was a given early on last season that he would win the rookie of the year, many still aren't sold (belief that stats were inflated because of high usage) that he is a future superstar in the league. The comparison he gets most is a bigger Damon Stoudamire which isn't a bad player to be compared to (unless we're talking about off the court) but fans in Portland are expecting much more this season from Lillard and moving forward in his career. 

Trade to Consider: (POR) - Serge Ibaka, Jeremy Lamb,       Perry Jones
                               (OKC) - LaMarcus Aldridge, Mo Williams
*Logic - While the Thunder are in win-now mode, Aldridge provides the much needed inside scorer for their team to put them over the top and Mo Williams is the sixth man scorer they need to replace K-Mart. The Blazers get Ibaka whose defense continues to be amazing but his offensive development the last few seasons has remained frustrating. In Portland he won't have as much pressure to be an offensive player and along with Jeremy Lamb a fresh start from the pressures of being the questionable choice over James Harden will be off both their shoulders which may equal greater production.  

Where They'll Be Come June: If Aldridge stays, Batum flourishes, and Lillard doesn't slump, the team is a good lottery pick away from being a legitimate team next season.

Teams 20-11 coming soon. Stay tuned. Thanks for reading.